Device for making noise by the puncturing of inflated balloons



Sept. 7, 1965 J. GREEN 3,

DEVICE FOR MAKING NOISE BY THE PUNCTURING OF INFLATED BALLOONS Filed Feb. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

7%,; g JOSEPH GREEN ATTORNEY Sept. 7, 1965 J. GREEN 3,204,359

DEVICE FOR MAKING NOISE BY THE PUNCTURING OF INFLATED BALLOONS Filed Feb. 14. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

4, JOSEPH GREEN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,204,369 DEVICE FOR MAKENG NQISE BY THE PUNC- TURING OF INFLATED BALLOQNS Joseph Green, Hewlett, N.Y., assignor to Miner Industries, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 345,039 8 Claims. (Cl. 4688) This invention relates generally to a noise-maker, and more particularly is directed to the provision of a completely safe noise-maker suitable as a substitute for firecrackers and the like which rely on the explosive report from the detonation of powder.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a device which makes noise by the puncturing of inflated balloons, thereby to positively avoid any possibility of injuries to the user of the device or to bystanders.

A further object is to provide a noise-maker of the described character which, after being set for operation, provides a variable delay before the puncturing of the inflated balloon and the consequent explosive report, thereby to simulate the variable or indeterminant delay usually experienced between the igniting of the fuse of a firecracker and the detonation thereof.

Still another object is to provide a device for making noise by the puncturing of balloons, which device is constructed and arranged to avoid the premature puncturing of an inflated balloon when the device is being prepared or set for operation.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a device for making noise by the puncturing of inflated balloons comprises a base having means for holding or gripping the nozzle of an inflated balloon and for urging the latter against a support surface on the base, a pointed element mounted on the base for movement relative to the latter between a position where the element is withdrawn or remote from the support surface and an operative position where the pointed element projects beyond the support surface for puncturing a balloon held against the latter, thereby producing an explosive report, actuating means operative to drive the pointed element toward its operative position, and self-releaseable means for temporarily arresting operation of the actuating means thereby to delay the movement of the pointed element to its operative, balloon puncturing position.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying this invention and being shown with an inflated balloon held thereon for puncturing by the device so as to produce an explosive report;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2, and showing the device in its normal or rest condition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing the device in its set or cooked condition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. I, but showing another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the means included in the device of FIG. 5 for holding the balloon to be punctured.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the illustrated device 10 embodying this invention has, as its major components, a base or body 11 adapted to hold an inflated balloon B (FIGS. 1 and 3); a pointed element or pin 12 mounted on the base 11 for movement relative to the latter between a position (FIG. 4), Where the pointed element is remote or Withdrawn from the inflated balloon B held on the base, and an operative position, as shown in broken lines at 12 on FIG. 3, where the pointed element punctures the balloon held on the base and thereby produces an explosive report; and an actuating mechanism 13 operative to drive the pointed element toward its operative position.

In the illustrated device 10, the base 11, which is preferably molded or otherwise formed of a rigid plastic material, includes a bottom wall 14 and a pair of laterally spaced apart, parallel side plates 15 extending vertically upward from bottom wall 14 at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the latter, and being braced by outwardly directed ears or wings 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The two side plates 15 are substantially pie-shaped so as to have arcuate edges 17, at one end, and top edges 18 sloping downwardly toward the other end. Cross members 19 extend between top edges 18 of side plates 15 adjacent the taller ends of the latter, and such cross members are spaced apart to define a gap 20 therebetween. A further cross member 21 extends between side plates 15 of the base at the upper portions of end edges 17.

In order to hold the inflated balloon B on the base 11, the latter further includes a yoke-like or horseshoeshaped member 22 extending upwardly from bottom wall 14 adjacent the short ends of side plates 15. The horseshoe-shaped member 22 has its legs or ends disposed outwardly with respect to side plates 15, as is apparent in FIG. 2, and lies in a plane inclined relative to the bottom wall 14 in the direction opposed to the inclination of the top edges 18 of side plates 15, as is apparent in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The horseshoe-shaped member 22 defines an opening 23 and further is formed with a centrally located slot 24 opening at the outer edge of member 22.

After the balloon B has been inflated, its nozzle N is passed, from above, through opening 23 of the horseshoe-shaped member 22 and then drawn outwardly and upwardly and engaged in the slot 24 with the rim or bead R at the edge or mouth of the nozzle N resting against the upper surface of member 22 to prevent inadvertent withdrawal from the slot 24. By reason of the constriction of the nozzle N within the slot 24, the escape of air from the inflated balloon is prevented. Further, the nozzle N of the inflated balloon is tensioned longitudinally, that is, pulled in the direction of the arrow F (FIG. 3) below the plane of member 22, whereby the balloon is made to rock about the edge of the opening 23 and has its inflated body urged against the cross members 19 which thereby define a support surface on the base 11.

The pointed element or pin 12 is carried by an arm structure 25 made up of a pair of parallel, laterally spaced apart arms 26 which are swingably mounted, adjacent one end, on a pivot pin 27 extending between, and supported by side plates 15. The arms 26 extend from pivot pin 27 radially toward the arcuate edges 17 of side plates 15, and the free ends of arms 26 are joined by a cross bar 28 from which the pointed element or pin 12 projects upwardly. The arm structure 25 is swingable between the position shown on FIG. 4, to which it is urged by gravity, and the position shown in broken lines at 25' on FIG. 3, and the arms 26 thereof are dimensioned so that, when the arm structure is in such position 25, the cross bar 28 thereof can extend into the gap 20 between cross members 19, with the lower cross member 19 being engaged by the upper edges of arms 26 to act as a stop limiting the upward swinging movement of the arm structure.

The actuating mechanism 13 includes a lever 29 disposed between arms 26 and arm structure 25, and being also swingably mounted, at one end, on the pivot pin 27. The lever 29 extends radially from pivot pin 27 under the cross 'bar 28 of arm structure 25 and projects beyond the arcuate edges 17 of side plate 15. The outer or projecting end of lever 29 has a plate 30 secured thereon so as to constitute a handle by which the lever 29 may be depressed. The inner or pivoted end of 'lever29 isformed with 'a depending hook-shaped lug 31 '(FIGS. 3 and 4), and a tension spring 32, for example, in the form of a rubber band, as shown, has its opposite ends connected to the lug 31 and to a hook-shaped car 33 projecting up wardly from the bottom wall 14 f base'11 between side plates 15 of the latter. Thus, spring 32 yieldably urges lever 29 to swing upwardly to the position shown on FIG. 3 where the upper edge of lever 29 engages the bottom edge of cross member 21 of the base which thereby acts as a stop for limiting upward swinging of lever 29. The cross member 21 is dimensioned so that, when lever 29 engages against its lower edge and-the cross bar 28 of arm structure 25 rests on lever 29, as shown on FIG. 3, the pointed element 12 is withdrawn, or disposed below the support surface for the balloon B defined by the cross members 19. Thus, during mounting of the inflated balloon on the base 11, as described above, there is no danger that the inflated balloon will be inadvertently punctured by the pointed element or pin '12.

.In operating'the device 10, the'lever 29 is depressed from the position of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4 by pressing downwardly on the handle 30 after the placement of an inflated balloon on the base. Such downward movement of lever 29 is followed by the arm structure 25 which has its cross bar 28 merely resting on the lever. When lever 29 is released, spring 32 effects its rapid upward swinging, so that the'arm structure 25 andits pointed element 12 are also driven upwardly. When-lcver 29 engages cross member 21 of the base, and thus cannot move any further in the upward direction; the inertia of arm structure 25 causes the latter to swing further upward to its operative position indicated at 25' on FIG. 3, whereby its pointed element punctures the inflated balloon B held against the cross members 19.

In accordance with this invention, the device 10 is further provided with self-releasable means for temporarily preventing operation of the actuating mechanism 13 after the latter has been set or cocked by depression of its lever 29 to the position of FIG. 4, thereby providing a variable or indeterminate delay between the setting of the device 10 and the puncturing of the balloon for simulating the suspense-inducing delay usually experienced between the igniting of the fuse of a firecracker and its-detonation.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention, the self-releasable means for temporarily arresting or preventing operation of the actuating mechanism 13 merely consists of a rubber or other resilient suction cup 34 secured on a projection 35 depending'from lever 29 so as to be engageable with bottom wall 14 of base 11 when lever 29 is depressed, as shown on FIG. 4. Thus, suction cup 34 temporarily adheres to bottom wall 14 and holds lever 29 against upward swinging movement by spring 32. In

order to accelerate the release of the suction within cup 34,

the top surface of the latter may be provided with a fine scratch 36 positioned so as to extend from the outside to the inside of the edge of cup 34 and thereby permit bleeding of air from the atmosphere into the interior of the suction cup when the latter is engaged with bottom wall 14. It will be obvious that other releasably adherent means may be substituted for the suction cup 34 to provide the desired delay in operation of the device following the setting or cocking of its actuating mechanism 13.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, it will be seen that, in a preferred embodiment of this invention that is otherwise generally similar to that described above, the noisemaking device 1001 has a base or body 11a provided with a member 22a for holding the inflated balloon thereon. The member 22a is formed as a curved extension of the bottom wall 14a which projects beyond the side plates 15a. The curved extension or member 22a is generally S-shaped and has spaced slots 37 and 38 opening laterally at the opposite sides thereof (FIG. 6).

As shown particularly on FIG. 6, slot 37 is positioned in the lower portion of S-shaped member 22a, that is, in the portion that is concave toward the side plates 15a, while slot 38 is disposed near the free end of member 22a so as to be located above slot 37, as shown.

After the balloon B has been inflated, its nozzle N is engaged in slot 37 and then ,drawn upwardly and engaged in slot 38 with the rim or head R at the edge or mouth of the nozzle N resting against the upper surface of the free end portion of member 22a to prevent inadvertent withdrawal from slot 38. The constriction of nozzle N in slots 37 and 38 prevents the escapeof'air from the balloon, and the nozzle is tensioned longitudinally from slot 37 toward slot 38'and thereby made to rock relative to member 22a in the direction for urging the inflated body of the balloon against the cross members 1911' which connect side plates 15a and define a support surface on base 11a (FIG. 5).

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and

that various changes and modifications may be elfected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of theinvention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: V 1. A device for making noise by the puncturing of inflated balloons, comprising a body having a surface and ,rneans for holding an inflated balloon on said body against said surface, a pointed element,

, means mounting said pointed element on said body for movement relative to the latter between a position where said element is withdrawn from said surface and an operative position where said element projects beyond said surface for puncturing a balloon held against the latter and thereby producing an explosive report,

actuating means operative to drive said element toward said operative position, and

releasable means for temporarily arresting operation of said actuating means.

2. A device for making noise by the puncturing of infiated balloons, comprising a body having a surface and means for holding an in fiated balloon on said body against said surface,

a pointed element,

means mounting said pointed element on said body for movement relative to the latter between a position where said element -is withdrawn from said surface and an operative position where said element projects beyond said surface for puncturing a balloon held against the latter and thereby producing an explosive report,

actuating means operative to drive said pointed element from the first mentioned position to said operative position, and

manually set, self-releasable means temporarily holding said actuating means against operation thereof, thereby to delay the movement of said pointed element to'its operative, balloon puncturing position.

3. A noise-making device comprising an inflated balloon,

a body having means thereon for holding said inflated balloon,

a pointed element,

means mounting said poi'n'ted'element on said body for movement relative to the latter between'a first position remote from said balloon and an operative position where said pointed element engages the balloon for puncturing the latter and thereby producing an explosive report,

actuating means operative to drive said pointed element from said first position to said operative position of the pointed element, and

manually set, self-releasable means temporarily holding said actuating means against operation of the latter, thereby to delay the puncturing of said balloon.

4. A device for making noise by the puncturing of balloons comprising a base having a generally upwardly facing surface and means on said base for holding an inflated balloon and urging the latter against said surface,

an arm structure pivotally mounted on said base and carrying a pointed element for movement of the latter between a lowered position, where said element is remote from said surface to avoid contact with a balloon against the latter, and an operative position, where said pointed element projects upwardly beyond said surface, thereby to puncture a balloon held against the surface and produce an explosive report,

a lever mounted on said base for pivotal movement parallel to said arm structure, said lever being engageable with said arm structure from beneath the latter to move the arm structure in the direction toward said operative position of the pointed element,

spring means urging said lever to pivot in the upward direction, and

means operative to temporarily hold said lever in a depressed position and being released by the force of said spring means, whereupon the latter drives said lever upwardly to act against said arm structure and thereby effect movement of the pointed element to said operative position.

5. A device as in claim 4;

wherein said means on the base for holding an inflated balloon includes a yoke-like member extending at an angle with respect to said surface, said yoke-like member defining an opening through which the nozzle of an inflated balloon can be extended, and said yokelike member further having a slot opening at the periphery thereof to retain the nozzle of the balloon after passage through said opening and thereby prevent escape of air from the balloon before puncturing of the latter.

6. A device as in claim 4;

wherein said means operative to temporarily hold the lever in the depressed position includes a suction cup mounted on said lever and engageable with said base in said depressed position, and means permitting the leaking of air into said suction cup following engagement of the latter with the base.

7. A device as in claim 4;

further comprising means on said base arresting the upward movement of said lever by said spring means at a location where said arm structure engaged by the lever is below said operative position so that final movement of said arm structure to said operative position occurs independently of movement of said lever.

8. A device as in claim 4;

wherein said base includes a bottom, a pair of parallel, spaced apart side walls extending upwardly from said bottom and cross-members extending between the upper portions of said side walls and defining said surface of the base; and

wherein said arm structure and lever are movable between said side walls on a common pivot, said arm structure being contained within the edges of said side walls and said lever projecting beyond the latter and having an exposed handle by which the lever can be manually displaced to said depressed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,856,732 10/58 Weismantel 46--174 3,092,388 6/63 Wagenheim 46--32 X RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR MAKING NOISE BY THE PUNCTURING OF INFLATED BALLOONS, COMPRISING A BODY HAVING A SURFACE AND MEANS FOR HOLDING AN INFLATED BALLOON ON SAID BODY AGAINST SAID SURFACE, A POINTED ELEMENT, MEANS MOUNTING SAID POINTED ELEMENT ON SAID BODY FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE LATTER BETWEEN A POSITION WHERE SAID ELEMENT IS WITHDRAWN FROM SAID SURFACE AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION WHERE SAID ELEMENT PROJECTS BEYOND SAID SURFACE FOR PUNCTURING A BALOON HELD AGAINST THE LATTER AND THREBY PRODUCING AN EXPLOSIVE REPORT, ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVE TO DRIVE SAID ELEMENT TOWARD SAID OPERATIVE POSITION, AND RELEASABLE MEANS FOR TEMPORARILY ARRESTING OPERATION OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS. 